Antenna support structure

Abstract

According to the present invention an antenna support structure for at least three directional antenna sub-systems provided, wherein the antenna sub-systems can be preferably planar antenna arrays. The antenna support structure ( 1 ) comprises at least four panels ( 3, 4 ) adapted to support respectively one of the antenna sub-systems ( 2 ). The panels ( 3, 4 ) include a main panel ( 3 ) and at least three secondary panels ( 4 ) respectively adjacent to the main panel ( 3 ). The secondary panels ( 4 ) can be respectively attached by hinge means ( 5 ) to the main panel ( 3 ). Therefore the secondary panels ( 4 ) can be individually adjusted in a predetermined angle to the main panel ( 3 ). The antenna support structure according to the present invention can be particularly used in combination with wide-band printed dipole antennas for micro-wave and millimeter-wave applications.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. Antenna support structure for at least three directional antenna subsystems ( 2 ), the antenna support structure ( 1 ) comprising at least four panels ( 3 ,  4 ) adapted to support respectively one of the antenna subsystems ( 2 ), the panels ( 3 , 4 ) including 
       a main panel ( 3 ),  
       at least three secondary panels ( 4 ) respectively adjacent to the main panel ( 3 ), the secondary panels ( 4 ) being respectively attached by hinge means ( 5 ) to the main panel ( 3 ), such that the secondary panels ( 4 ) can be individually adjusted in a predetermined angle to the main panel ( 3 ); and  
       means for affixing said antenna support structure to an earthbound structure such that said antenna support structure is operational while affixed to said earthbound structure.  
     
     
       2. Antenna support structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that the main panel ( 3 ) is rotatable relative to a base point ( 6 ) of the antenna support structure ( 1 ). 
     
     
       3. Antenna support structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that the antenna subsystems are planar antenna arrays ( 2 ) having at least one patch. 
     
     
       4. Antenna support structure according to claim  1 , characterized by electrical and/or mechanical adjustment means ( 7 ) being adapted to adjust and fix respectively the angle between one of the secondary panels ( 4 ) and the main panel ( 3 ). 
     
     
       5. Antenna support structure according to claim  4 , characterized by an antenna control unit ( 8 ) controlling the electrical adjustment means ( 7 ). 
     
     
       6. Antenna support structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that the main panel ( 3 ) is adapted to support an antenna subsystem ( 2 ). 
     
     
       7. Antenna support structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that the main panel ( 3 ) has a triangular shape and one secondary panel ( 4 ) is respectively hinged to one of the sides of the main panel. 
     
     
       8. Antenna support structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that the secondary panels ( 4 ) have a triangular shape. 
     
     
       9. Antenna support structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that the main panel ( 3 ) has an essentially rectangular shape. 
     
     
       10. Antenna support structure according to claim  1 , characterized by mechanical and/or electrical rotation drive means ( 9 ) for adjusting and fixing the rotation angle of the main panel ( 3 ) relative to a base point ( 6 ) of the antenna support structure ( 1 ). 
     
     
       11. Antenna support structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that the hinge means ( 5 ) are adapted to provide for a transmission of electrical signals from the main panel ( 3 ) to each of the secondary panels ( 4 ). 
     
     
       12. Antenna support structure according to claim  1 , characterized by antenna reflectors ( 13 ) and/or space for RF circuitry on the back side of at least the secondary panels ( 4 ). 
     
     
       13. Wireless indoor communication network, at least two terminals ( 11 ), each terminal ( 11 ) being connected with an antenna system comprising an antenna support structure ( 1 ) according to claim  1 . 
     
     
       14. Use of antenna support structure according to claim  1 , for antennas covering a frequency range of 5 to 6 GHz.